Cambridge CELTA

Cambridge CELTA - Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults

The Cambridge CELTA course is validated by Cambridge ESOL, which is the examinations board of the University of Cambridge (formerly known as UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate).
The Cambridge CELTA is probably the most widely recognised TEFL qualification in the world. The course content is almost identical to the Trinity CertTESOL course (see separate section).

The vast majority of quality language schools around the world will require teachers to have the Cambridge CELTA or ‘equivalent qualification’. Whilst the nature of the ‘equivalent qualification’ falls to the discretion of individual schools, this will usually be the Trinity CertTESOL, and other courses of similar duration, including, for example, the MEI RELSA Certificate in TEFL.

Cambridge CELTA Course (courtesy of Cambridge ESOL)

Who is CELTA for?

People starting a career in English Language teaching
You may be looking to begin a long term career in English Language teaching and see CELTA as a springboard into a good teaching post in the country of your choice. You may be a graduate looking for a qualification that gives you a firm grounding in the fundamentals of language teaching practice, together with the confidence to take control in the classroom.

People looking for a career change or career break
An increasing number of CELTA candidates are professionals who are either looking for a new career path or simply want a short break in their existing career. Perhaps you want the opportunity to live and work abroad?

Whether you wish to teach English for the short or long term, CELTA gives you the training you need to help you adjust to a dynamic and challenging new profession.

People already teaching English but with no formal qualifications
You may be an existing English Language teacher with no formal qualifications. CELTA will help to sharpen your teaching practice, confirm your ability, and may even lead to internal promotion or a better teaching job.

In all, over 10,000 people successfully complete a CELTA course each year.

What does CELTA involve?

You can take CELTA full time (typically 4-5 weeks), or part time (from a few months to over a year). Your chosen course will teach you the principles of effective teaching and a range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners.

You will have hands-on teaching practice, observe experienced teachers in the classroom and complete four practically focused written assignments.

There are five main units of learning:
· Unit 1: Learners and teachers and the teaching and learning context
· Unit 2: Language analysis and awareness
· Unit 3: Language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
· Unit 4: Planning and resources for different teaching contexts
· Unit 5: Developing teaching skills and professionialism

You will be assessed throughout the course, with no final examination. An external assessor, appointed by Cambridge ESOL, moderates each course.

There are two components of assessment:
Teaching Practice - You will teach for a total of six hours, working with classes at two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance at the end of the six hours.

Written Assignments - You will complete four written assignments: one on adult learners and learning contexts; one on an aspect of the language system of English; one on an aspect of language skills; and one on classroom teaching and the identification of action points.

To be awarded the Certificate, you must pass both components. There are three grades - Pass, Pass 'B' and Pass 'A'.

Who recognises CELTA?

CELTA is accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English Language teachers. The Cambridge CELTA has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) at level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework. Cambridge ESOL also works with international ELT organisations to ensure the acceptance of CELTA globally.

Am I eligible to apply?
Ideally you should:
· have a standard of education equivalent to that required for entry into higher education
· be aged 20 or over
· have a standard of English which will enable you to teach at a range of levels.

Centres may still accept you if you do not have formal qualifications at this level but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully. Equally some centres may, at their discretion, accept applicants aged between 18 and 20.